The incident on Friday comes after months of relative peace in the foothill areas where the Meitei-majority valley meets Kuki-Zo majority hills.A woman was killed on Friday in Manipur’s Churachandpur district when security forces launched operations against firing taking place on a foothill area below, an official said.During the day, a farmer from Phubala, a foothill area in the valley district of Bishnupur, was injured when the area experienced gunfire.“Today, at approximately 3:00 PM, one Ningthoujam Biren Singh, a cultivator from Phubala Awang Maning Leikai, was shot in his left arm by an unknown armed miscreant while working in his paddy field at Phubala Maning. He was initially taken to District Hospital, Bishnupur for medical treatment and was later referred to RIMS Hospital, Imphal. His condition is reported to be stable at present. In response, security forces launched a search operation in and around Langchingmanbi, Heichanglok, and the western areas of Phubala village,” read a Manipur police statement on Thursday night.According to police, the deceased was likely to have been killed in crossfire that took place during this search operation.“When a joint forces team went into the hills, some miscreants were running and they fired at the forces, which they retaliated against. It is likely that this woman was hit in the crossfire that had taken place during that time, while the security forces were pursuing miscreants,” said a senior security official in the state.Kuki-Zo groups in Churachandpur have identified the deceased woman as Hoikholhing, who was the wife of the chief of Langchingmanbi village in Churachandpur district.“Local police have attended to the incident and the deceased is being transported to District Hospital, Churachandpur for necessary legal formalities. Cases have been registered in connection with the incidents, and investigation is underway. Combined security forces are continuing search operations to nab the culprit(s). Every effort is being made to bring those responsible to justice at the earliest,” said the Manipur police statement.Story continues below this adThe incident on Friday comes after months of relative peace in the foothill areas where the Meitei-majority valley meets Kuki-Zo majority hills. The last major cycle of violence between both communities had taken place in November last year. Manipur police said security arrangements relating to farming activities in foothill areas will be reviewed “to ensure the safety of farmers in the fields and prevent recurrence of such incident.”Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Manipur Violence